It’s that time of year again…. oh yes it is. In the best traditions of this time of the year, a Belgian audience is set to be treated to that good, old-fashioned English tradition – a pantomime. This year, the offering by the English Comedy Club later this month is Cinderella. The panto is something that…
The rise of the shadow tanker fleet is a ticking time bomb for both the global environment and international maritime security. These vessels, operating outside the reach of established regulations, are increasingly involved in transporting oil and oil products from countries such as Iran, Venezuela, and Russia — states that face international sanctions. While this…
Photo by Julius Drost on Unsplash Russia is waging war against Ukraine in the forests of Kharkiv, the steppes of Kherson, and the coal dumps of Donbass. However, the battlefield extends beyond Ukraine’s east and south. Russia’s use of rockets, guided bombs, tanks, and artillery is matched by its strategic war on the information front,…
Photo by Ahmad Sofi on Unsplash In a surprising development, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has announced his decision to step down and leave Syria, directing the government to transfer power peacefully. This unexpected move marks a dramatic shift in the political landscape of the Middle East. It raises questions about Syria’s future stability and the…
The prize for the Champion Cheese of 2024 has been awarded to a Portuguese cheese, Queijo de Ovelha Amanteigado which is produced by a small farm in northern Portugal Quinta do Pomar. A family run business, the farm employs ten persons. The cheese competition was organised by the London based Guild of Fine Foods, with…
Photo by Hongbin on Unsplash The former EU foreign affairs chief has been elected for a second term at the helm of the College of Europe in Bruges. Francesca Mogherini has been the Rector of the College of Europe since September 2020. She has also been director of the European Union Diplomatic Academy, implemented by…
Photo by Matthew TenBruggencate on Unsplash Campaigners say that the COP29 climate conference left a trail of broken promises. Speaking on Monday, they also claim that it failed to deliver the outcomes urgently needed to address the escalating climate crisis. The event in Baku was full of drama throughout the two weeks and concluded in…
On November 18, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) published a report confirming the use of chemical weapons by Russia during military operations against Ukraine. These actions constitute a severe violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), undermine the foundations of international law, and pose new threats to global security. Experts from…
Photo by Silver Ringvee on Unsplash As we mark the sombre milestone of 1,000 days of all-out war, Ukraine continues to stand firm against Russia’s unprovoked invasion. What began on February 24, 2022, as an aggressive assault on Ukrainian sovereignty has now evolved into a broader battle for the survival of democracy and international law….
Photo by Stephen Cobb on Unsplash Recently, the British newspaper The Times suggested that Ukraine could develop a nuclear weapon if the United States were to reduce or cut military aid significantly. This statement has raised concerns and prompted a swift and definitive response from Ukrainian officials. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has categorically…
